A sandwich course in the ecological management of green spaces in the towns and cities of the Charleroi Metropolitan Area
When it comes to the maintenance of green spaces, the skills required are constantly evolving and now also need to factor in the ecological dimension to adapt to the climate disruption we are experiencing. To meet this challenge, the Charleroi Metropolitan region has devised a new training course in the ecological management of green spaces.
A multi-partner project
Several institutions joined forces to put this new course on the rails. The project’s originality lies in the way it is set up: it was created with and for the towns and villages of the region based on the model of a sandwich course. The trainees conduct their work placement at the department of green spaces within their own town, so that they can put what they have learned into practice in the public space.
Thanks to the involvement of the IFAPME, the MIREC, the Instance Bassin Hainaut Sud and the local authorities, the new training course was launched in October 2023. Some ten trainees from around the Charleroi Metropolitan Area returned to school for 1 or 2 days a week. The remainder of the time they put what they learned into practice, firstly by taking part in a collective work camp with their class and secondly by spending time working at the department of green spaces within their respective communities.
Intensive apprenticeships
More nature, environmentally friendly management, plant species adapted to our surroundings, habitats for small and large creatures… The trainees acquired knowledge regarding all of these practices which help to further biodiversity, which must be protected as a matter of essential importance for the future of our planet (Europe very recently adopted the Nature Restoration Law).
At the IFAPME Centre in Charleroi, the trainees were able to draw on the experience of sector professionals who work at the Adalia 2.0 and Ecowal associations. Passing on their knowledge, their commitment to protecting nature and biodiversity and their infectious enthusiasm for the job added a lot of value to the training.
The green spaces departments of the local authorities of Charleroi, Courcelles, Aiseau-Presles, Farciennes and Montigny-le-Tilleul saw their ranks strengthened by the arrival of one or more trainees keen to put what they had learned into practice. The trainees’ tutors, who themselves received training to provide support to the apprentices, monitored their learning and passed on their knowledge in a fully immersive professional environment. In addition to the skills involved in the ecological management of green spaces, the trainees also got to grips with all the codes of conduct associated with the world of work: observing working hours, communicating with others, work regulations, the right work attitude, etc. The skills developed will help them become part of the world of work in the long term.
The collective work camp, a pilot scheme set up as part of the training project, created a positive dynamic among the group of trainees and helped to promote learning. This was also the case of the various visits organised as part of the training course. The group therefore discovered the landscaping of the green spaces at a school in Pont-à-Celles, the greenery at various cemeteries, etc.
In Courcelles with Ludovic
In Courcelles, we followed Ludovic who had been referred for this training course by the IFAPME. Their role is to ensure the smooth integration of the apprentices at their place of work and to follow up on the apprenticeships. Having spent 18 months working at his local authority under a so-called ‘Article 60 contract’, we met Ludovic who had been offered the opportunity to start on this training course in order to acquire new skills and which allowed him to conduct his work placement within the local authority.
Ludovic pursued the course with great interest and enthusiasm, conducting a variety of different tasks at the local authority’s department of green spaces.
As well as maintaining the green spaces (pruning, trimming, shredding, mowing, etc.), he engaged in planting activities (fruit trees, bulbs, flowers, hedges, etc.) and helped to create an orchard in the Trazegnies municipal park. Perennial flowerbeds, the upkeep of the pond in the local park, flower meadows, mechanical or thermal weeding, etc. Ludovic has a busy summer ahead of him and the summer period is the perfect time to put what he has learned into practice.
Why go for a sandwich course?
Sandwich courses are based on the idea of combining theory and practice. The sandwich course trainees spend time working at a company or another organisation where they get to put what they have learned into practice. This gives them the kind of precious professional experience which a traditional training course is often unable to provide.
The trainees get to use and develop their skills in real-life situations. Learning takes place in an active and practical manner under the personalised supervision of an experienced tutor.
The sandwich course enables trainees to enter the job market in a practical and progressive manner as the course unfolds. The work experience gleaned enables them to develop their aptitudes and acquire the technical and human skills that will be essential in their future careers.
The sandwich course also comes with numerous benefits for companies as it enables them to train learners in real-life conditions and, why not offer them a contract at the end of their apprenticeship, knowing exactly what their new recruit is good at. Passing on knowledge also has a favourable impact regarding the commitment of employees who are offered a job.
To find out more about sandwich courses and about the courses available…
Interested in this training course? Contact the IFAPME (Vincent.minet@ifapme.be)